Attending several, always outstanding, events held in Andover over the summer has been a highlight of serving as a State Representative. From the Fourth of July to the Old Time Fair and the First Annual BeaconFest, I met scores of constituents having a great time, and who took the time to speak with me about their views. 

I had the pleasure of assisting several people with their business ideas and purchased numerous locally-made products that I simply couldn’t resist! Among them were carefully crafted homestead foods, such as delicious jams and phenomenal baked goods.

Over the years, I’ve taken a special interest in food products made in unlicensed, un-inspected residential kitchens that are subsequently offered for sale to the public at a variety of special events: farmers’ markets, farm stands, retail food stores, and from the abodes of producers. 

In my travels, however, I’ve found that many people find the laws governing homestead foods to be confusing, if not also too restrictive. In fact, according to the Institute of Justice, New Hampshire, the Live Free or Die state rates only a C+ relative to food freedom, which is recognizing the right of individuals to produce, procure, and consume homemade foods of their choice while being free from unnecessary and anti-competitive regulations.

Wyoming’s Food Freedom Act has the least restrictions on homemade foods, for example.  Working on much-needed amendments to RSA 143-A, Food Service Licensure, I hope to expand the ability of small-scale food artisans to produce and sell a greater variety of baked, fresh, and canned food products that can’t be found in grocery stores or other food establishments and which consumers nowadays crave. 

Homemade foods should be allowed to be made and sold to the fullest extent allowed by federal law, which means without burdensome state regulations causing financial or other hardship that dampens personal and economic liberties. I’d love to hear from constituents contemplating entry into the homestead food market, or those already in the business if having any ideas for regulatory improvements. Deborah.Aylward@nullleg.state.nh.us or 603 217-7842.